Video games run on the principle of failure, repetition, and reward. A player starts sluggish but eventually gets the hang of the in-game challenges through repetition.
Game-based learning makes use of the same principle of synchronizing fun with the curriculum of a child. The student sets an eye on a goal and then takes a series of actions to achieve that goal. Along the journey, they learn about the right and wrong choices they make through the outcomes of their consequences.
Game-based learning research shows that students score 14 percent higher in skills-based assessments in the presence of gamification elements. Not only that, they further show a nine percent increase in knowledge retention levels.
So, what is it that makes game-based learning more effective than conventional teaching and learning methods? Let’s find out.
- Superior Engagement Levels
It is not a rare sight for parents to see their children being super immersed in games. Sometimes, it feels like they are so lost that even if you disappear, they won’t realize.
Video-games win by a significant margin against traditional teaching methods when it comes to catching the attention of the kids. The hi-tech effects, fun animations, vibrant colors, and absorbing sounds make the whole experience highly exhilarating for the kids.
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It enables the kids to step up their focus and attention. Consequently, they feel more and more determined and motivated to learn more and overcome the in-game hurdles; eventually, ending up victorious. In this triumph, they learn about numerous new topics.
- Instant Feedback
You were almost there. Let’s try again!
The traditional learning environment is slow to provide feedback on the learning of kids. However, with learning games, this feedback is instant and much more revealing.
Research shows that learning occurs far quickly when there is a short interval between behavior and reinforcement. Quick feedback allows students to know what they are missing out on and enable them to work on their shortcomings when they are in the zone.
On the other hand, the delays in receiving feedbacks in the traditional setups kill motivation and energy. Not to mention, the positive feedbacks act as quick rewards and get the dopamine flowing! It catalyzes the performance of the players and encourages them to go for even bigger rewards.
- Enhanced Flexibility
Traditional learning methods are rigid and demanding. With game-based learning setups, you can get started, stop, and continue any time you want. You only need to have an electronic gadget and a good internet connection.
Moreover, traditional learnings expect you to make recurrent investments. Transportation, accommodation, books, food, support equipment, and stationery are some of the forms of expenses. In contrast, game-based learning brings the classroom to the comfort of your home.
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Even though a gaming platform might require some initial charges, but that amount is usually a one-time investment. What’s more, you can buy a single account and get multiple users to access the platform.
Game-based learning further allows you to access the content as much as you want. So, you can come back to it anytime you want and keep doing the activities until you become the maestro.
On the contrary, how long until your teacher gets irritated by going through the same topic over and over?
- Diverse Environment
Traditional settings leave a student with very few choices. The tutor comes up with a handful of methods, and they apply the same methods to all the students. Unfortunately, the traditional teaching methodology fails to work on some students, as they all have a different level of mental skills.
In 2010, researchers from MIT monitored the brain activity of a 19-year-old student for a week. It was revealed that the brain of the student completely stopped responding to classroom lectures.
The good news is that gamified learning environments open a window of diversity by featuring multiple games on one subject.
Take airG MiniMe 500c, for example. It is a subscription-based platform that offers a complete learning solution for the kids by providing a huge range of games and educational videos. Each game helps improve a different set of skills in kids and teach them about new concepts in a fun way.
It allows kids to explore multiple options to learn about a subject. This availability of options is not possible with traditional learning methods.
- Content Analytics
Crosses and tick marks in red, and a bunch of remarks, in traditional setups, do not provide an in-depth analysis of the learning abilities of a student. Game-based learning takes it a notch above by probing deeper and providing a comprehensive status of the progress.
These platforms make it possible for you to know in detail about your strong suits and your struggling spots. Besides, intelligent gaming platforms incorporate progress bars and the roadmaps to keep you motivated along the way.
The transparency that is acquired through game-based learning is much more superior than what is delivered through traditional learning. It is not uncommon in conventional environments that the facilitator fails to stay consistent throughout and deliver hastily on and off.
- Next-level Competition
Psychologists widely believe that competition helps bring out the best in students. When kids compete and end up securing the highest grades, the feel-good hormones are released, and their self-esteem gets a boost.
Game-based learning experiences broaden the horizons of competition and make the whole thing even more enjoyable. You get to see the possibility of taking the competition to the global level, which, in the case of traditional methods, is virtually impossible.
The competition in games is incorporated in such a way that it encourages gamers not only to compete with each other but outdoing themselves as well. So, the points, stars, and gems help you go the extra mile to reach the summit.
Final word
Gamified learning is already taking the world by a storm. However, there is still a big room of possibilities that will change the way education and teaching are looked at.
Personalized content is something to set eyes on. Not long from now, we would be seeing game-based environments monitoring our behavior and habits and then coming up with tailored experiences.
Let us know what you think about game-based learning in the comment section and give us a chance to respond to your thoughts.
